AN 18-footer skiff can glide through the water at double the true wind speed and is considered the fastest in its class of sailing skiffs.

Unfortunately that means when the wind is pretty much zero knots, twice the speed still equals zero.

Despite hopping aboard with a crew member of a Sydney to Hobart winning boat, it wasn't plain sailing at Leslie Dam when the Brisbane 18 Footer Club came to the Rose City in less than blustery conditions.

The spirited crew hit the water despite the lack of wind, but all bets were off when racing began.

I joined Nathan Schmittmann and Adam Young on the Sailtech, which the crew hopes to contest the JJ Giltnam World Championships for 18 footers in Sydney Harbour in February.

With barely a breeze to carry us across Leslie Dam the crew employed some extreme sabotage methods, targeting rivals on the Queenslander to try to gain the advantage.

At one point Schmittmann leapt from the skiff to capsize his unsuspecting rivals.

We caught enough wind for me to have a chance to hang from the side of the 18 footer - an amazing sensation.

Most of my sailing experience involved avoiding knocking myself unconscious with the mainsail and trying to keep out of the professionals' way.

It's the second time the club has visited Warwick and they were relieved it was a damn sight warmer than their Frostbite Regatta in June.

Warwick Sailing Club's Gerry Roche said the weekend was well attended and much enjoyed.

"It's good for people to know the Warwick Sailing Club is still here," he said.

"We have great facilities here at Leslie Dam.

"All we ask of anyone that wants to join is that they have a love and motivation for sailing."

In lieu of their camping fees members of the Brisbane 18 Footer Club donated a small sailboat to the Warwick Club for children to learn to sail.

With my sea legs - or lake legs - broken in, I'm not sure I'll be volunteering to join the crew again when it returns in winter but it certainly was a great experience.

Anyone interested in joining the local sailing fraternity can call Gerry Roche on 4661 4028.